Official figures show 38 rapists and more than 600 people found guilty of serious assaults were spared jail last year and handed community and rehabilit­ation orders instead.

The soft sentences mean dangerous offenders are being allowed back on the streets and are free to commit more of their sickening crimes.

Statistics released earlier this year showed the reoffending rate for sex offenders was rising with nearly one in every seven rapists caught last year having previously committed sex crimes.

Outraged campaigners yesterday said the disturbing new figures would shatter victims’ confidence in the criminal justice system.

Tory MP Nick de Bois, who sits on the Justice Select Committee, said: “Rape and GBH are serious, shocking crimes. I find it hard to believe that victims and decent-minded members of the public would say justice has been done with these sentences. I have every confidence that figures like these will lead the Secretary of State for Justice to look at what is permitting this kind of thing to happen.”

The public should be deeply concerned to have these individuals in the community

Tory MP Priti Patel

Fellow Tory Priti Patel said: “These are horrific crimes and the public should be deeply concerned to have these individuals in the community.

“Public safety is the number one concern. I can understand the use of community punishments for some lesser crimes but for offences at this end of the spectrum I would argue that they are not appropriate. All the safeguards should be in place to protect the public.”

Two weeks ago the Sentencing Council issued judges with tough new guidelines for sex offences and called for the psychological damage rapists cause their victim to be taken into account. Longer sentences should also be given to attackers who film their assaults or have multiple victims.

The latest statistics were published by prisons minister Jeremy Wright.

Of the 38 rapists given community sentences, 30 were aged under 18. Mr Wright also revealed that 610 people convicted of grievous bodily harm following serious assaults were released with community, referral or rehabilitation orders.

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